Blind blues guitarist Jeff Healey lost his lifelong battle with cancer at age 41. Jeff became a popular artist in the U.S. during the late 80s/early 90’s after his single “Angel Eyes” was featured in the Patrick Swayze movie “Roadhouse,” in which Jeff had a small role. His cover of the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was also a top 10 single.

Canadian blues, jazz, and rock musician Jeff Healey died on Sunday (March 2) in a Toronto hospital at 41. He finally succumbed to retinal cancer, which claimed his sight at age 1. The Grammy-nominated guitar virtuoso, famous for playing his instrument flat on his lap, reached the height of his success in 1988 with his album See the Light, which spawned the hit single ”Angel Eyes.” Healey shared the stage with guitar legends like Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King, and Eric Clapton. Though he started out playing blues-rock, his last three studio efforts leaned toward jazz, which was said to be Healey’s true love. He died a month before the April 22 release of his first rock album in eight years, Mess of Blues. He is survived by his wife, Christie, and two children.

[From Entertainment Weekly]

This made me sad. Jeff was a talented guy who never let his disability stop him.

Note by Celebitchy: Healey left behind two children, Rachel, 13, and Derek, 3. Thanks to StevieRay.com for the header image of Jeff playing in the fall of 2006.